Sharp AQUOS LC32BD60U 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with Built-In Blu-ray Player
From the ManufacturerManufacturer’s Review (February 28, 2009) Sharp makes it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite movies in spectacular 1080p high-definition quality by including an integrated Blu-ray Disc Player with its BD60 series LCD HDTV. This 32-inch combines the convenience of an all-in-one home theater solution with Sharp’s new Superlucent Advanced Super View (ASV) panel for a dramatically bright and crisp picture. (Learn more about what size TV should you get.) The slot-loading Blu-ray Disc Player placed on the back of the HDTV is also backward-compatible with DVD and CD titles. Full HD 1080p resolution produces a crisp picture, and Sharp’s Spectral Contrast Engine XD (Extreme Dark) provides a high dynamic contrast ratio, enabling deep blacks and vibrant colors, and a special dejudder feature results in the smooth reproduction of film content. The 4ms response time delivers amazingly accurate picture quality and it also features built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners, hi
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Received this 1080p LCD TV two days ago…this is an initial hands-on review. This is the first line of LCD TVs to contain a built-in Blu-ray DVD player. I needed this because of space limitations and for convenience. This TV extracts the highest resolution from Blu-ray DVDs for an exceptional picture. Conventional DVDs also produce an excellent picture and are upconverted from 480p. So far, I’m pleased. This TV will accept virtually all current video signals up to 1080p + PC input, making it as future proof as any current LCD TV. But there are some caveats.
1. TV Setup: TV is well packaged and protected. The Owners Manual is detailed and understandable. You must attach the base stand to the TV unless you intend to wall hang it. The black lacquer stand attaches easily using phillips screws and a screwdriver provided. All plastic protective coverings stayed on the TV and stand until final placement because black lacquer surfaces and LCD screens attract fingerprints and scratches. The base doesn’t swivel or tilt. It is hefty and supports the TV very well.
2. Inputs abound: Seven inputs can handle most sources. They include three HDMI HDCP inputs, an Analog PC input, and various component/S-video/composite combos. Additionally, a USB input (called a Service Terminal) is provided for future firmware updates. I have an HD TiVo with HD Digital Cable service connected via HDMI. The TV and TiVo synched perfectly and the TV automatically labeled this input as TiVo…cool feature. Picture controls are adjustable for each input and maintain their settings.
3. Blu-ray Player (Profile 1.1, upgradeable): The DVD player forms a slight bulge on the rear right of the TV and is not obvious. It has a USB port for memory expansion and an ethernet port for future BD-Live capability. When a DVD is inserted into the loading slot, the TV switches to DVD input, reads the type disc and begins playing. Very easy to use! I tested two Blu-ray DVDs and two conventional DVDs without a hitch. Blu-ray DVDs took just under two minutes to load their data and play. Conventional DVDs took less than a minute. Commercial or homemade music CDs also work, however homemade MP-3 music disks will not play. The DVD player initially makes slight noises as the disk is loading. Once play starts it is silent. If there is a fan, it is very quiet. DVD functionality seems very well integrated into the electronics, remote control, and overall operation of this TV.
4. Limitations of the Blu-ray player: First, audio output to A/V receivers is bitstream via optical output in Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2-channel PCM. Analog 2-channel rca outputs are also provided. None of the next generation audio formats found on Blu-ray DVDs, i.e., Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, can be output. Second, if the player fails I must return the entire TV for service. Third, this is a profile 1.1 player. The owners manual indicates it will be upgradeable to profile 2.0 at a future date. If you can live with these limitations (which I can), then convenience, space savings, and ease of use make this a valuable addition.
5. Performance: Overall excellent picture with Standard and High Definition sources, after some adjustment. Sound is about average for this size TV. Bass and Treble, along with a Surround mode are adjustable. Blu-ray DVDs display exceptional video quality. HD Cable programs are pristine. Normal DVDs look very good. Sound is boosted slightly when playing DVDs and I perceived a very slight improvement in overall dynamics. Out of the box, after some adjustments, this TV exhibits a very slight red push…not a deal breaker. This means reds were somewhat over emphasized in all picture modes. Luckily, the Color Management System allows very detailed adjustment of each of six colors in Hue, Saturation, and Value (brightness). This is in addition to the normal contrast, tint, brightness, and color controls. Additionally, backlight is adjustable (from off to full on) as are video noise reduction controls. I’m sure with the help of my Avia test DVD and some experimenting, I’ll be able to tweak the picture to my liking.
6. Summary: I’m very satisfied at this point. Factoring the price of a separate Blu-ray player into the price of a quality 1080p 32inch LCD TV makes this combo a reasonable alternative to separate components in my view. Limitations aside, the convenience of having a well integrated DVD player attached to a TV makes sense for many folks.
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Complaints….Great TV
I love this TV so far. The picture is incredible. I use the TV in my bedroom to watch movies and television shows at night so I appreciate the dark blacks that Sharp is so good…
Looking for a combo tv/dvd player I came across this TV at the 11th hour. With a built in blu-ray that could play dvd as well, it was much better than what I was looking at initially. I wanted a tv for the bedroom but didn’t want to have to buy and wire components, so this was a nice clean option since its all built in one.
After reading the reviews already on this page, I felt pretty confident this tv would be good for what I needed, and so far I have not been let down. Everything works well and is as described. My only gripes are that the blu-rays take a long time to load, but this is the case with my living room tv and stand alone blu-ray player too, so its just the nature of the beast. I gave 3 stars only because the frame around the tv looks a little cheap and has the super glossy plastic-y look, as well as all the little proprietary cheesy symbols printed on it on the front panel (dts, blu-ray, hd tv, etc). Typically that stuff would be on a sticker you could peel off, but here is permanently part of the finish. Also the picture is not quite as good looking as my Sony in the living room, so my expectations were a little higher, but for what it is, its great!
The biggest draw for me, apart from the convenience of having my media player and tv in one, is Amazon’s service and prices. Once again, I was very happy with Amazon’s fast shipping (they beat their estimated delivery time by a week!), and the white glove service (Ceva) is top notch. They bring the tv to your house in a small van (no bouncing around in big UPS or Fed Ex trucks), unbox the tv, set it up, test your remote, you can test out a movie, the full nine yards. Only then, once you’ve decided your cool with everything, do you sign off on the form and the guys take off. Try getting that kind of service anywhere else, its impossible.
To make the deal even sweeter, the shipping was free and the purchase was tax free, saving a couple hundred bucks when it’s all said and done. Highly recommended, and be sure you buy from the Amazon store, to get all these perks.
I Could not find my tv here or at the Sharp website. It may have been made for the military PX only. I have the 42 inch version of this tv. (LC-42BD80U). Well, I’m just a consumer who has looked at and read reviews on Plasma/LCD TVs for the last 5-6 years before I purchased my first one last year. (Samsung 46 inch 1080p) I don’t know alot of spec lingo or jargon. All I know is that this TV is great to own and the price is good. I may have gotten it for a little less do to not having to pay tax at the PX and was given an additional discount for using a PX credit card for the fist time and no intrest for 6 months. I set the TV up and started watching TV within 30-40 minutes. I like the features, pictures and look. The only problem I had until I called Sharp was that my remote did not work when a dvd was in. The movie played fine, but I could not get it to stop, pause, fast foward of anything. 10 minutes on the phone and that problem was hsitory. I read the other reviews before mind and feel that sometimes “what you don’t know you won’t miss”. I feel this will apply to the average buyer. The possitives over rides any negatives. We can find something negative in everthing we buy. You’ll have to look hard here.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sharp Picture, but Blu-ray DVD lags
The picture quality is amazing. And I particularly like the “side-stretch” feature– it makes ordinary TV shows and movies look like HD without any great distortion.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Blue Ray Player slow going.
Already had a service call.Sharp sent someone out fast and changed out my Blue Ray Player. Works well now and the sound and picture are crystal clear and vivid.
5.0 out of 5 stars
perfect for camper
i bought to use on my deck of my camper.my other tvs i had trouble seeing.this tv ajusts to the different light each day.i have a 42in. for inside camper also a aquos.
4.0 out of 5 stars
So far, pretty good…
Have just had this set for a couple of days. Thus far it seems great with the exception of a few missing features/drawbacks I will note below…
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Review from CES
Viewed at CES in January. Stunning picture in 1080P mode using built-in Blu-ray DVD player. Putting in a DVD automatically turns on TV and selects correct input, TV aspect…